mike1961
03-08-2006, 03:26 PM
Hello - first we may be seeking a second opinion soon but here's the scenario and maybe someone can shed light as to what the problem might be.
In general, my mother-in-law (72 years old and 4 years widowed now) keeps getting bacterial infections and (usually) low grade fevers of around 99-102. Last year, she almost died with a temperature of over 106. Back then, she had a staff infection and they (Kaiser hospital) gave her antibiotics and then had to do surgery on her leg to remove a lot of bacteria there. She had I think MSA bacteria (not MRSA). She has never really felt well since or even before that.
Now - she just keeps getting these fevers and going in and out of the hospital. She now has again a low grade fever with some pneumonia and MRSA bacteria. They are again treating it with antibiotics and then released her from the hospital to a rehab center and she is now back in the hospital again with another fever.
Blood tests revealed that her neutrophils are from 325-2600 and I think they should be over 10,000. They have been giving her shots to bring up her neutrophils but they just drop again and she keeps getting sick with bacteria. She has had other bacterial infections as well. They have ruled out Lupus but have not tested yet for leukemia. They have said that she is not well enough to test for that because it could introduce more bacteria and also that if it is leukemia there is nothing they can do unless it becomes acute.
She also has had this persistent need to clear her throat (like reflux or something) but they are not sure if that is just psychological and it may be unrelated to what is happening now. I suppose there is a lot more I could list but this has been going on for over a year now and at this juncture Kaiser has said all they can do is treat the symptoms as they appear.
Does anyone have any ideas as to what this could be or what to test for? I realize it's not possible to diagnose but even some suggestions as to what might be causing this would be helpful. We are so "in the dark" and are worried that if it gets worse, her body may eventually not be responsive to antibiotics and the Neutrophil injections.
Thanks
In general, my mother-in-law (72 years old and 4 years widowed now) keeps getting bacterial infections and (usually) low grade fevers of around 99-102. Last year, she almost died with a temperature of over 106. Back then, she had a staff infection and they (Kaiser hospital) gave her antibiotics and then had to do surgery on her leg to remove a lot of bacteria there. She had I think MSA bacteria (not MRSA). She has never really felt well since or even before that.
Now - she just keeps getting these fevers and going in and out of the hospital. She now has again a low grade fever with some pneumonia and MRSA bacteria. They are again treating it with antibiotics and then released her from the hospital to a rehab center and she is now back in the hospital again with another fever.
Blood tests revealed that her neutrophils are from 325-2600 and I think they should be over 10,000. They have been giving her shots to bring up her neutrophils but they just drop again and she keeps getting sick with bacteria. She has had other bacterial infections as well. They have ruled out Lupus but have not tested yet for leukemia. They have said that she is not well enough to test for that because it could introduce more bacteria and also that if it is leukemia there is nothing they can do unless it becomes acute.
She also has had this persistent need to clear her throat (like reflux or something) but they are not sure if that is just psychological and it may be unrelated to what is happening now. I suppose there is a lot more I could list but this has been going on for over a year now and at this juncture Kaiser has said all they can do is treat the symptoms as they appear.
Does anyone have any ideas as to what this could be or what to test for? I realize it's not possible to diagnose but even some suggestions as to what might be causing this would be helpful. We are so "in the dark" and are worried that if it gets worse, her body may eventually not be responsive to antibiotics and the Neutrophil injections.
Thanks